Geraardsbergen (Brussels Morning Newspaper): A man failed to appear in court for serious driving offenses, including DUI and driving without a license. His lawyer claimed he improved his life in Tenerife, but the judge imposed a €27,000 fine and a 7-year sentence due to his history of similar offenses.
On 15 November a man failed to appear in the Dendermonde police court for serious driving offenses from last year. He was caught driving under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, without a valid license, and despite being officially declared that he couldn’t drive. His lawyer told the court he now lives in Tenerife.
Will a Geraardsbergen man’s claims of change in Tenerife prevent his punishment?
The prosecutor criticized a man for repeatedly ignoring the law and court orders, saying he doesn’t seem to change his behavior. They are asking for a punishment to show that there are serious consequences for not following judicial decisions.
The man’s lawyer claimed he has improved his life in Tenerife by starting a catering business with his partner and has no plans to drive again. However, the judge disagreed and imposed a fine of over 27,000 euros and a 7-year prison sentence, as the man has faced punishments for similar offenses before. If he returns to Belgium, he will go directly to jail.
